Trotting returned to Friday night at Phoenix Park in Port Pirie to much fanfare. The first race, with the track in good condition. Batman Bart closed as favourite in the first race, the Henry Osborne Fodder Store Pace, and went from the second position behind the Mobile Start. It was Rhyflective driven by Jayden Brewin who took the lead. Jayden, who had won the Driver’s Invitation Series of late and was hoping for a successful evening as it was his eighteenth birthday. Batman Bart took to the outside of the leader and battled with Gotango for that outside position. Racing three wide for some time, Dani Hill had to eventually concede, let Batman Bart take the spot, and dropped to fourth. Position remained pretty much unchanged until into the straight coming up to the bell, when it could be seen that Rhyflective was struggling a bit and Brewin was working on him. However, down the back straight he had responded to some alteration in his gear, and found a bit of a boost. In to the front straight and Gotango let loose, coming four wide, passing all in her mix. Weaponry, which had sat waiting his chance got through, second and Rhyflective, third. The second event on the programme, “Fly Like An Eagle” pace had seen Bettorhavtime, start as favourite. As they had got underway, Dani Hill had given him a bit of a tickle up and he took the lead. Willie Hays in my opinion is a little horse to watch. Tom Clarke had seemed happy to sit in behind Bettorhavtime for the time being. That’s Macs Girl had galloped as they approached the back bend and had lost ground. At the bell, Bettorhavtime sat in the lead and Dani would have been looking for a double from the first two races. In the back straight, Wells Crest found his seat in the fourth spot. At this stage of the race Luckless had galloped, interfering with Forty Five Degrees. Dani was holding onto Bettahavtime into the bottom bend, saving what he had let for the run to the line. Running away at the finish to win by six metres. Willie Hays had finished in second spot with Mason Jon third. Backwards, with no form at all behind it, had started at favourite. But as the field got under way in the 1609 metre Lauke Mills Pace, it had been Atomic Blue Chip who had shown the most dash with Backwards hot on his tail. Atomic Blue chip had taken the lead and held that lead into the bell. However, as they came into the home straight, Atomic Blue Chip had begun to stagger and when Backwards had got to the outside it was all over. Backwards ran over the top of Atomic Blue Chip and Reactabelle came third. Mile rate had been timed at 1.59.1. The Kevin Schrader Memorial was next. This was a race ran over 1609 meters also and a race for R6 class or better. Kevin Schrader had been a dedicated member of the Port Pirie Harness Racing Club and it was wonderful that his family was sponsoring this race. Montana Jet had started as favourite and started from the third position. Big Behemoth had streaked to the lead with rate Highly tucking in on his back.. Montana Jet was happy to sit, facing the breeze. With 400 metres to the post, it was Big Behemoth and Montana Jet but from somewhere Quadentate and Rate Highly had got through in the sprint lane. It had been Big Behemoth’s night. Quadentate had got up to second spot with Rate Highly getting through for third position. An embroidered rug was presented by the Schrader family to driver, Lisa Ryan. Trained by Wayne Brodie, Any Suggestions was just back after a spell and had been driven by Brodie Webster with Nykea Courage having closed at $2.90 favourite. My Apache Gold, was thought to have great gate speed and may have been a danger at the start. But it had been Any Suggestions who had burst from Barrier six and had taken the lead with Nykea Courage taking the seat behind and Promise At Dawn. Nykea Courage had held his own finishing in second positon, Glacier heights had run on to finish third with a mile rate of 1.59.9. The last race on the programme had been the Hopkins Saddlery ace. Starting at $2.40 favourite, High Class Lady was driven by Wayne Hill. Jackmichaels had the speed to hold but it was High Class Lady who had chased him down and sat even. Into the straight, it was Jackmichaels, High Class lady, Barney fella fighting it out with Chasing a win. Barney Fella won with Antaeus Blue Chip, 2nd and Chasing a Win, in third. Trots is cancelled this week.

Trots makes a return to Friday night races

IN MEMORY: Members of the Schrader Family presenting rug to driver of Big Behemoth, Lisa Ryan, second front right.

Trotting returned to Friday night at Phoenix Park in Port Pirie to much fanfare. The first race, with the track in good condition. Batman Bart closed as favourite in the first race, the Henry Osborne Fodder Store Pace, and went from the second position behind the Mobile Start.

It was Rhyflective driven by Jayden Brewin who took the lead. Jayden, who had won the Driver’s Invitation Series of late and was hoping for a successful evening as it was his eighteenth birthday. Batman Bart took to the outside of the leader and battled with Gotango for that outside position. Racing three wide for some time, Dani Hill had to eventually concede, let Batman Bart take the spot, and dropped to fourth.

Position remained pretty much unchanged until into the straight coming up to the bell, when it could be seen that Rhyflective was struggling a bit and Brewin was working on him.

However, down the back straight he had responded to some alteration in his gear, and found a bit of a boost. In to the front straight and Gotango let loose, coming four wide, passing all in her mix. Weaponry, which had sat waiting his chance got through, second and Rhyflective, third.

The second event on the programme, “Fly Like An Eagle” pace had seen Bettorhavtime, start as favourite. As they had got underway, Dani Hill had given him a bit of a tickle up and he took the lead. Willie Hays in my opinion is a little horse to watch. Tom Clarke had seemed happy to sit in behind Bettorhavtime for the time being.

That’s Macs Girl had galloped as they approached the back bend and had lost ground. At the bell, Bettorhavtime sat in the lead and Dani would have been looking for a double from the first two races. In the back straight, Wells Crest found his seat in the fourth spot. At this stage of the race Luckless had galloped, interfering with Forty Five Degrees.

Dani was holding onto Bettahavtime into the bottom bend, saving what he had let for the run to the line. Running away at the finish to win by six metres. Willie Hays had finished in second spot with Mason Jon third. Backwards, with no form at all behind it, had started at favourite.

But as the field got under way in the 1609 metre Lauke Mills Pace, it had been Atomic Blue Chip who had shown the most dash with Backwards hot on his tail. Atomic Blue chip had taken the lead and held that lead into the bell.

However, as they came into the home straight, Atomic Blue Chip had begun to stagger and when Backwards had got to the outside it was all over. Backwards ran over the top of Atomic Blue Chip and Reactabelle came third.

Mile rate had been timed at 1.59.1. The Kevin Schrader Memorial was next. This was a race ran over 1609 meters also and a race for R6 class or better. Kevin Schrader had been a dedicated member of the Port Pirie Harness Racing Club and it was wonderful that his family was sponsoring this race. Montana Jet had started as favourite and started from the third position. Big Behemoth had streaked to the lead with rate Highly tucking in on his back..

Montana Jet was happy to sit, facing the breeze. With 400 metres to the post, it was Big Behemoth and Montana Jet but from somewhere Quadentate and Rate Highly had got through in the sprint lane.

It had been Big Behemoth’s night. Quadentate had got up to second spot with Rate Highly getting through for third position. An embroidered rug was presented by the Schrader family to driver, Lisa Ryan.

Trained by Wayne Brodie, Any Suggestions was just back after a spell and had been driven by Brodie Webster with Nykea Courage having closed at $2.90 favourite. My Apache Gold, was thought to have great gate speed and may have been a danger at the start.

But it had been Any Suggestions who had burst from Barrier six and had taken the lead with Nykea Courage taking the seat behind and Promise At Dawn. Nykea Courage had held his own finishing in second positon, Glacier heights had run on to finish third with a mile rate of 1.59.9. The last race on the programme had been the Hopkins Saddlery ace.

Starting at $2.40 favourite, High Class Lady was driven by Wayne Hill. Jackmichaels had the speed to hold but it was High Class Lady who had chased him down and sat even. Into the straight, it was Jackmichaels, High Class lady, Barney fella fighting it out with Chasing a win. Barney Fella won with Antaeus Blue Chip, 2nd and Chasing a Win, in third. Trots is cancelled this week.